The Rise and Fall of Japan's LDP: Political Party Organizations as Historical Institutions

by Ellis S. Krauss, Robert J. Pekkanen

After holding power continuously from its inception in 1955 (with the exception of a ten-month hiatus in 1993–1994), Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lost control of the national government decisively in September 2009. Despite its defeat, the LDP remains the most successful political party in a democracy in the post–World War II period. In The Rise and Fall of Japan's LDP , Ellis S. Krauss and Robert J. Pekkanen shed light on the puzzle of the LDP's long dominance and abrupt defeat. Several questions about institutional change in party politics are at the core of their What incentives do different electoral systems provide? How do politicians adapt to new incentives? How much does structure determine behavior, and how much opportunity does structure give politicians to influence outcomes? How adaptable are established political organizations? The electoral system Japan established in 1955 resulted in a half-century of "one-party democracy." But as Krauss and Pekkanen detail, sweeping political reforms in 1994 changed voting rules and other key elements of the electoral system. Both the LDP and its adversaries had to adapt to a new system that gave citizens two one for a party and one for a candidate. Under the leadership of the charismatic Koizumi Junichiro, the LDP managed to maintain its majority in the Japanese Diet, but his successors lost popular support as opposing parties learned how to operate in the new electoral environment. Drawing on the insights of historical institutionalism, Krauss and Pekkanen explain how Japanese politics functioned before and after the 1994 reform and why the persistence of party institutions (factions, PARC, koenkai) and the transformed role of party leadership contributed both to the LDP's success at remaining in power for fifteen years after the reforms and to its eventual downfall. In an epilogue, the authors assess the LDP's prospects in the near and medium term.

Genres: Japan, Nonfiction, History, Political Science, Politics, Academic

336 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2010

Reviews

[Yalin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic study of the LDP, it's internal structures, and electoral fortunes, using a conceptual framework that emphasizes historical "sequencing" rather than electoral and cultural explanations. Although certain sections give off the feeling that the conversation is repeating itself or is glossing over certain aspects of a discussion, it is still a valuable study.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Persuasively addressed so many questions I've had about Japanese politics. Also, another aspect of this book which I liked is how it directly addresses counter perspectives and fairly addresses them. One book I'd like to refer to into the future.

[Ebonique Boyd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me write a book about recounting political scientists theories that were proven wrong and then spend sometime talking about how these misconceptions were solidly reasoned and the most rational solution. Lovely book.